VocabuoDictionaryGet the app
verb

abspreizen

splay

Definition & meaning

The verb "abspreizen" primarily means to move a limb or a part of the body away from the midline or away from the other limbs. It is often used when someone sticks out a finger, a toe, or an arm at an angle. For instance, holding a tea cup with the pinky finger extended is a classic example of "den kleinen Finger abspreizen".

In a technical or construction context, it can also mean to prop something up or to support a structure using a diagonal beam or strut to prevent it from collapsing or moving.

Grammar & Word origin

"abspreizen" is a separable verb (trennbares Verb). In a sentence, the prefix ab- moves to the end of the clause in the present and simple past tenses.

The word is composed of two parts:

  1. The prefix ab-, which in this context indicates movement away from a starting point.
  2. The base verb spreizen, which means to spread, splay, or stretch apart.

The past participle is abgespreizt.

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms:

  • wegspreizen (to splay away)
  • abstrecken (to extend away)
  • ausstrecken (to stretch out)
  • abstützen (in a technical sense: to prop up)

Antonyms:

  • anlegen (to pull close to the body or put against something)
  • heranziehen (to pull toward)
  • schließen (to close, in the context of fingers or legs)

Make “abspreizen” part of your vocabulary.

Build your German vocabulary with flashcards, audio and spaced repetition.

Get Vocabuo on the App StoreGet Vocabuo for Android

Examples

Beim Trinken spreizt er den kleinen Finger ab.verb

While drinking, he splays his little finger.

Keep exploring German

Learn words from the content you love.

Add words from websites, books and videos, then remember them with spaced repetition (SRS).

Download on theApp StoreGET IT ONGoogle Play